Salem planners move to vacate alley near church

SALEM -- The city Planning Commission voted to recommend closing an alley between North Lundy Avenue and North Broadway which cuts through the First Presbyterian Church property.

Church member Barb Loudon, who's also a member of the planning commission, said church members have to cross the alley to get to parking and children also cross the alley to reach the church playground on the other side.

She said it's become dangerous because some motorists like to use that as a shortcut from Lundy to Broadway.

Both Loudon and Bob Merry, another member of the planning commission, recused themselves from voting since they are members of the church.

The alley also goes between properties owned by John Biddle and the 314 Group LLC where Hack, Steer & Company is located, both at the North Broadway end. They signed the petition to vacate the alley along with church officials who sought the closing.

Loudon said Biddle rents out the property and his renters have small children so he was in favor to protect them.

When the alley vacation is approved by city council and becomes official, the section of alley between Biddle's property and the 314 Group LLC property will be split between them. A driveway easement agreement has been signed by Biddle, the 314 Group LLC and church officials.

Biddle needs access to a garage off of the alley and the 314 Group LLC needs access to parking at the rear of its building.

Mayor John Berlin asked if a barricade would be installed so motorists can't continue using the alley to reach Broadway. Loudon said the church committee is determining what type of barricade to use and will install signage, too.

As for the access from Lundy, she said right now drivers aren't supposed to turn west off of Lundy into the parking lot. She said the committee will review the situation.

In other business, the commission gave approval for a plat showing a splitting of a property into two commercial lots on East State Street, just east of Aldi's. The lot closest to Aldi's, on the other side of where Butcher Road used to come out to East State Street, will be 1 acre, with Hank explaining the intention is for construction of a medical office on the lot at 2495 E. State St. The remaining lot to the east will be 4.468 acres.

The zoning is C-2 General Commercial. The lots are currently vacant.

Panezott said it's nice to see some development there.

mgreier@salemnews.net